Get the Most Out of Windows 10 5 Expert Tips for Users

Windows 10 is one of the most popular and widely used operating systems in the world today. Since its launch in 2015, it has undergone multiple updates and improvements, making it the go-to operating system for personal computers, workstations, and even gaming machines. Despite its popularity, many users still don’t know everything about Windows 10 that could significantly enhance their experience.

Whether you are a new user or someone who has been using Windows for years, there are essential features and tips about Windows 10 that can improve your productivity, security, and overall experience. In this guide, we will cover 5 important things you should know about Windows 10, from hidden settings and features to tips that enhance system performance and security.

• Start Menu and Taskbar: Customize your workspace for easier access to apps and programs.

• Security: Utilize built-in tools like Windows Defender, BitLocker, and Windows Hello for a more secure system.

• Performance Optimization: Regularly clean up your system and adjust settings to ensure fast and efficient operation.

• Hidden Features: Explore advanced tools like Virtual Desktops, Snip & Sketch, and Windows Ink Workspace to increase your productivity.

• System Updates: Keep your system up-to-date to enjoy the latest features and security patches.

By leveraging these features, you can ensure that your Windows 10 system works efficiently and securely. Whether you’re looking to enhance performance, improve security, or discover hidden tools, Windows 10 has everything you need to get the most out of your PC.

Introduction to Windows 10

Windows 10 was designed with the goal of unifying different versions of Windows into a single platform, allowing users to have a seamless experience across desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. One of the most significant changes in Windows 10 is the return of the Start Menu, which had been removed in Windows 8. Windows 10 also introduced Cortana, a personal assistant, Task View for multitasking, and Edge, the browser that replaced Internet Explorer.

Windows 10 offers several versions, including Home, Pro, and Enterprise, each catering to different user needs. The operating system also receives regular updates, making it crucial to stay on top of new features, security patches, and performance improvements.

Here’s an overview of key features and advantages of Windows 10:

• User-Friendly Interface: Windows 10 combines the best of Windows 7 and Windows 8, offering a familiar yet modern interface with features like the Start Menu and Live Tiles.

• Security: Windows 10 comes equipped with various built-in security tools like Windows Defender, Windows Hello, and BitLocker to protect your data.

• Cortana Integration: The digital assistant helps you with reminders, searching the web, and more, directly from the desktop.

• Microsoft Store: The Windows Store offers apps, games, and other digital content to enhance your productivity and entertainment.

• Support for Legacy Software: Windows 10 supports both new and older software, making it a flexible solution for different users.

Despite its user-friendliness, there are some key features, tweaks, and settings that most users aren’t aware of. Let’s dive deeper into 5 important things you should know about Windows 10.

The Windows 10 Start Menu and Taskbar

The Start Menu and Taskbar are central to navigating and accessing your programs, files, and system settings in Windows 10. However, they offer more than just the basics—here are some useful features you may not know about:

Start Menu Customization

The Start Menu in Windows 10 combines elements from both Windows 7 and Windows 8, providing a traditional Start Menu alongside live tiles. This unique combination allows users to customize their experience based on their preferences.

• Pin Apps to the Start Menu: You can pin frequently used apps to the Start Menu for quicker access. Right-click on any app and select Pin to Start.

• Resize Tiles: You can resize the live tiles in the Start Menu to show more or less information. Right-click on a tile and choose the size you prefer (small, medium, wide, or large).

• Group Tiles: Windows 10 allows you to group tiles in the Start Menu. Simply drag tiles together, and a group label will appear. For example, you could group all your productivity apps or games into specific sections for easier access.

Taskbar Customization

The Taskbar is where you can pin your most-used apps, search the web, manage your open windows, and access system notifications. Here are a few taskbar features that might not be obvious:

• Pin Folders and Websites: You can pin folders and websites to the taskbar. Just drag and drop the folder or website shortcut to the taskbar.

• Taskbar Settings: Right-click on an empty area of the Taskbar and select Taskbar settings to adjust its behavior. You can change the position of the taskbar, hide labels, enable or disable taskbar transparency, and more.

• Notification Center: The taskbar also houses the Notification Center (the speech bubble icon in the bottom-right corner). Here, you can view your recent notifications and quick settings, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and display options.

By mastering the Start Menu and Taskbar customizations, you can create a more efficient and personalized workspace on your PC.

Windows 10 Security Features You Should Use

One of the most important aspects of any operating system is security, and Windows 10 comes with several advanced security features that you should enable to keep your system safe. Here are some essential security features in Windows 10:

Windows Defender Antivirus

Windows Defender is the built-in antivirus and anti-malware tool that protects your PC from various threats. It runs automatically and offers real-time protection. To ensure it’s active:

• Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security.

• Click on Virus & Threat Protection to check if Windows Defender is up-to-date.

BitLocker Encryption

BitLocker is a full disk encryption feature that protects your data by encrypting the entire drive. This is especially useful if your laptop is lost or stolen, as it prevents unauthorized access to your data. To enable BitLocker:

• Right-click on the drive you want to encrypt (typically the C: drive).

• Select Turn on BitLocker and follow the prompts to set up the encryption.

Read More: Top 10 PC Tips And Tricks For Windows

Windows Hello

Windows Hello offers biometric authentication for logging into your system. It supports facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, or PIN codes for more secure access to your PC.

• Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in Options to set up Windows Hello features.

Ransomware Protection

Windows 10 includes ransomware protection through Controlled Folder Access, which helps prevent malicious apps from accessing your important files. To enable it:

• Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection.

• Scroll down to Ransomware Protection and enable Controlled Folder Access.

Secure Boot

Windows 10 supports Secure Boot, which prevents unauthorized software from loading during startup. Ensure that Secure Boot is enabled in your BIOS or UEFI settings.

By taking full advantage of these security features, you can ensure that your Windows 10 PC remains safe from both external and internal threats.

How to Optimize Windows 10 for Better Performance

Over time, even the fastest computers can become sluggish due to system overload, background processes, and unnecessary software. Fortunately, there are various ways to optimize your Windows 10 system to maintain peak performance.

1. Clean Up Your Hard Drive

Windows 10 includes the Disk Cleanup tool, which removes temporary files, system files, and other unnecessary data to free up space on your hard drive. To access it:

• Type Disk Cleanup in the Start Menu and select the tool.

• Choose the drive you want to clean and click OK.

• Select the file types you want to delete and click OK to confirm.

2. Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs

Some programs automatically start when you boot up your PC, which can slow down your startup time. To disable unnecessary startup programs:

• Right-click on the Taskbar and select Task Manager.

• Go to the Startup tab.

• Right-click and Disable the programs you don’t need to start automatically.

3. Adjust Visual Effects

Windows 10 includes many eye-catching visual effects, but these can also use up system resources. You can adjust these settings to improve performance:

• Go to Control Panel > System and Security > System > Advanced system settings.

• Under Performance, click Settings and choose Adjust for best performance or manually disable specific effects.

4. Enable Fast Startup

Windows 10 has a Fast Startup feature that reduces boot time by hibernating some system files instead of shutting them down completely. To enable it:

• Go to Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do.

• Click on Change settings that are currently unavailable.

• Under Shutdown settings, enable Turn on fast startup.

5. Defragment Your Hard Drive

Defragmenting your hard drive can improve read/write speeds, especially on traditional hard drives (HDDs). To do this:

• Go to Settings > System > Storage > Optimize Drives.

• Select the drive you want to optimize and click Optimize.

By regularly optimizing your PC, you’ll ensure that your Windows 10 system runs smoothly and efficiently.

Useful Hidden Features of Windows 10

Windows 10 is packed with features that many users are unaware of. These hidden gems can save you time and enhance your experience:

1. Virtual Desktops for Multitasking

Windows 10 includes a fantastic feature known as Virtual Desktops, which allows you to create multiple desktop environments to organize your workflow. This is especially useful when juggling several tasks or projects at once. Here’s how you can use it:

• Press Win + Tab to open the Task View.

• At the top of the screen, click on New Desktop to create a new virtual desktop.

• You can drag and drop open apps and windows between desktops to organize them.

• Switch between desktops using Win + Ctrl + Left/Right Arrow.

Virtual desktops can help you keep work, personal, and entertainment tasks separate, reducing clutter and improving focus.

2. Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch

Windows 10 includes several tools for taking screenshots and capturing parts of your screen, making it easier to share or save information.

• Snipping Tool: Allows you to take a screenshot of any part of your screen. To open it, type Snipping Tool in the Start menu and select it. You can capture a rectangular, freeform, window, or full-screen snip.

• Snip & Sketch: A more advanced screenshot tool introduced with Windows 10. Press Win + Shift + S to open Snip & Sketch. You can then select an area to capture, which is automatically copied to your clipboard for easy sharing.

Both tools also allow you to annotate your screenshots, adding text or drawings to highlight specific areas.

3. Task View and Timeline

Windows 10 includes Task View, which shows all your open windows, virtual desktops, and previously opened applications. To access it, press Win + Tab. This feature allows you to quickly switch between tasks.

In addition, Timeline is a feature that keeps track of the activities you’ve done in the past 30 days. You can access it via Task View and scroll through your past activities to pick up where you left off. This can be especially useful for returning to a document, website, or application you were working on earlier.

4. Windows Ink Workspace

Windows 10 has a built-in Windows Ink Workspace, which allows you to write, draw, and annotate directly on your screen using a digital pen or touchscreen. It’s perfect for those who like to take handwritten notes or create quick sketches. To open it:

• Press the Windows Ink Workspace icon in the Taskbar (it looks like a pen).

• You can choose from tools like Screen Sketch, Sticky Notes, or Sketchpad to get started.

This feature is especially useful for those with touch-screen laptops or tablets, but you can also use a stylus or mouse on devices without a touchscreen.

5. Storage Sense

Windows 10 includes Storage Sense, a feature that automatically cleans up unnecessary files and frees up disk space when needed. It works similarly to Disk Cleanup but runs automatically in the background.

• Go to Settings > System > Storage.

• Enable Storage Sense, and you can customize how frequently it runs and what types of files it deletes (such as temporary files or files in the Recycle Bin).

This is a great tool for ensuring your system remains uncluttered and efficient without requiring manual intervention.

How to Keep Your Windows 10 System Updated and Secure

Windows 10 continuously receives updates, both for functionality and security. Keeping your system up-to-date is essential for maintaining performance, protecting your computer from vulnerabilities, and ensuring compatibility with new apps and hardware. Here’s how to manage your updates:

Enable Automatic Updates

By default, Windows 10 automatically installs updates. However, you can adjust the update settings to control when updates are installed:

• Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.

• Click on Advanced options to control things like update notifications and when updates are installed. You can also set active hours, so Windows doesn’t restart your PC during important work hours.

Windows 10 Insider Program

If you’re interested in testing new features before they are released to the public, you can join the Windows Insider Program. This program provides access to preview builds, which are early versions of Windows 10 that are still in development. However, keep in mind that these builds may have bugs and issues, so it’s recommended only for experienced users or testers.

Check for Optional Updates

Occasionally, Windows will release optional updates that aren’t automatically installed. To manually check for these:

• Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.

• Click on View optional updates to see and install any non-critical updates or drivers that are available.

Driver Updates

Outdated drivers can cause performance issues or even crashes. You can manually check for driver updates through Windows Update or by visiting your device manufacturer’s website.

Conclusion: Why Windows 10 is the Best Choice for Users

Windows 10 continues to be a top choice for users worldwide, and with good reason. Whether you’re a home user, student, or professional, Windows 10 offers a wide range of features and tools that can optimize your productivity, security, and overall computing experience. From the customizable Start Menu and Taskbar to advanced security features and hidden productivity tools, Windows 10 ensures that you have everything you need at your fingertips.

With continuous updates and improvements, Windows 10 remains an operating system that evolves with the needs of its users. Its vast set of features, from user-friendly interface options to robust security and system optimization tools, makes it the perfect choice for any user. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced user, exploring and utilizing the full potential of Windows 10 will significantly enhance your computing experience.